Wicked Ways

On Sunday, May 6th, a close friend and I flew to Denver to see the musical ‘Wicked’. I had never been to a Broadway musical production of any kind so I wasn’t really sure what to expect. My kids and I have listened to the ‘Wicked’ soundtrack for years (my girls and I can quote perfectly every single word and voice inflection in the song ‘Popular’…just sayin) so I thought I knew the basic story line…thought being the key word there. I was psyched to say the least to be able to see it in person (up close and personal might I add seeing that we were on the third row).

The untold story of the witches of Oz…untold to say the least. Honestly, it is unimaginable at best, that is, until it all starts to unfold before your eyes. As I sat there realizing that things are not always what they appear to be, I couldn’t help but relate parts of the musical to fitness. I know what you’re thinking… Oh good grief, give it a rest Laura! Sorry, no can do! 🙂

One of the songs is titled ‘Defying Gravity’. The scene in which this song is performed is mind blowing-ly amazing to say the least. There are two portions of the song that I’d like to share with you and point out just why, in the middle of the most amazing scene in the musical, I was sitting there thinking about fitness (among other things). If you’d like, you can watch the YouTube video here.

Elpheba sings:

I’m through accepting limits cause someone says they’re so

Some things I cannot change, but till I try, I’ll never know!

Too long I’ve been afraid of losing love I guess I’ve lost

Well, if that’s love it comes at much too high a cost!

I’d sooner buy defying gravity

Kiss me goodbye, I’m defying gravity

And you can’t pull me down

Why should ANY of us accept limits? How many times have we heard the saying ‘The sky is the limit’ and failed to realize that the sky never truly ends? Too many people hear that saying and think of the lovely sky blue portion (which does indeed have an end, or limit) not realizing that, though the circumstances (in this case, the color and oxygen content of the “sky”) change, it continues right on into outer space which has no end. Light bulb moment? I HOPE SO! None of us have any limits, other than the ones that we allowed to be placed on us. That being said, what limits are you allowing to hold you back from becoming who you were truly meant to be?

It’s true, some things we cannot change. However, it doesn’t mean we can’t try! That being said, if something (whether it is a situation, hormone imbalance, diabetes, arthritis, etc.) is truly unchangeable, look at it as a boulder placed in your path. It doesn’t give you the liberty of stopping dead in your tracks. It is one more obstacle that you must find a way around, that’s all. 🙂 Remember, it’s not called the hard path for no reason!

Being afraid to lose something that is already lost. Oh my goodness, you have to admit we all fall victim to this one once in a while, where as, some of us choose to remain a constant victim. Ugh. Whether it is a group of friends that you are afraid of losing, a family member or a spouse/partner, I pose one question. WHAT ARE YOU THINKING??? If said group of friends, family member or loved one TRULY loves, appreciates, cares about and accepts you they would undoubtedly accept any journey resulting in betterment of health you chose to embark on. If they don’t (yep, I’m going to say it) THEY AREN’T TRUE FRIENDS! Now, when I began improving my health you better believe that I had to deal with this issue as well. I lost most of friends, one of them who was very near and dear to my heart, and it hurt. I get it. BUT, I didn’t let it stop me from continuing and neither can you! Anyone who sets out to better their health does, from at least one person, usually more than one. The bottom line is; you have to look out for number one, and that’s YOU.

Defying gravity. How many people do you know that defy gravity? How many people truly walk the extra mile rather than doing “just enough”? How many people quit “when the going gets tough” rather than continuing on through the mud and the guck? Defying gravity..rising above…need I say more? I mean, really? I didn’t think so.

Moments later she sings:

So if you care to find me, look to the western sky!

As someone told me lately: “Ev’ryone deserves the chance to fly!”

And if I’m flying solo, at least I’m flying free

To those who’d ground me, take a message back from me

Tell them how I am defying gravity, I’m flying high defying gravity

And soon I’ll match them in renown and nobody in all of Oz

No Wizard that there is or was

Is ever gonna bring me down!

I’m going back to removing limits. Read the second line again. Ev’ryone deserves the chance to fly! I simply couldn’t agree more. Period.

And if I’m flying solo, at least I’m flying free…this line has a much more personal meaning to me. When I first began my weight loss journey, there were a lot of naysayers. There were several people that I overheard saying things to other people that still to this day have no idea that I heard them say the hurtful things they said. One of the most beautiful things about where I am today is that the people who said those hurtful things are no longer a part of my life. I am flying free, and it is a glorious sensation. 🙂

To those who’d ground me…the hurtful things I overheard being said, most definitely served a purpose. On days when I didn’t feel overly excited for my HIIT cardio, I’d think of the things I’d heard and all of a sudden HIIT was on the menu and the length of time I was going to do it just doubled. On days when I struggled with motivation to get to the gym, those hurtful words would ring through my head and I was up and at the gym in under 20 minutes (and that’s saying something seeing that I had a 15 minute drive)! Lol. Seriously though, nobody can “ground” you unless you allow them to. Rise above, defy gravity, show ’em who’s boss. 😉

And soon I’ll match them in renown and nobody in all of Oz, no wizard that there is or was, is EVER gonna keep me down!… All I have to say to that is Amen! Can I get a Hallelujah!?